After one and a half day
sail from Ushuaia, The Falkland Islands laid before us.
New Island invited us
with great weather, Black-browed Albatross, Rockhopper penguins and Imperial
Cormorants (blue-eyed shags).
On the way towards the
colonies, we passed by the museum at the shore front to have a look. Here we
got to see the old wreckage of the beached Canadian Navy minesweeper Protector
as well.
Well at the colonies,
there was a stunning view over the cliffs where they were nesting. There was
literally penguins, albatrosses and Imperial Cormorants everywhere and it was all there for us to
enjoy.
We trod carefully around
in the Tussock grass, not to step on a penguin, albatross or a Cormorant. The
happiness was complete when we saw the albatross chicks under the bellies,
as well as the Rockhopper chicks.
Carcass Island lies to
the NorthWest of the Falkland Islands archipelago and takes its name from the
HMS Carcass which visited in the late 18th century.
At present there is only
two all year residents and a few more in the summer, it is the present owners
Rob and Lorraine McGill who have lived on the island for about 30 years.
We started off with a
long hike along the shore line, towards Leopard beach.
After an hour or so, well
at the beach, we were rewarded with a amazing view of all the Magellanic and
Gentoo penguins and ONE King penguin, yeaihh!
After this meeting, it
was time to walk back…..but no grumpy faces here thou because we all knew what
was waiting for us, a table full of pastries, cookies, tea and coffee at McGills
house.
In all and all, an
absolutely fantastic day!!
